Rope Covered Lampshades and Faux Bamboo Shades {dining room updates}

March 11, 2011

I made some small improvements to my dining room last night and thought I would share them with you! In the picture below, you can see my buffet at Christmastime. Do you see the little beady-fringed lamp shades? Yeah. I was tired of them so decided to give them a makeover.

I cut off the shade’s exterior fabric and fringe and left the white liner intact. Then with my glue gun and some $3 rope (that I bought ages ago at Big Lots), I covered the exterior wire shade in rope.

Just add a bead of glue between the rope strands and keep winding around until it is completely covered.

And voila! Here it is looking more coastal and up to date!

I also gave the middle picture frame below a mini-makeover. It was a botanical print before and I was tired of looking at it. So, I simply glued a piece of leftover bamboo to the outside of the glass (to cover the print) and then added some vintage keys.

Now onto my window treatments! My dining room window is the only window in the house that lets in a bunch of light and I wasn’t about to cover it. However, I wanted to add the illusion of a bamboo blind to add some warmth and texture to the window. The cheapest way of doing this was to buy a $9 shade/bamboo-mat-thingy from Ikea and a spring-loaded shower curtain rod.

I placed my shower rod in the window to get the right length and then took it down and covered it with my shade. I glued it all together along the seams to disguess the fact that it was cut into pieces.

And here it is!

You can sneak a peak at the rod to get a better idea of how I glued it in place.

And here is a better shot of the window. (Sort of. My photography skills are obviously lacking here.) The curtains are from Pottery Barn bought at half price off of ebay! Wahoo! The paint color in the dining room is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.

Just three small updates to my space, but ones that I think have made a huge difference in how I feel about it! I am starting to really LOVE this level of my home. Can’t wait until it is completely finished. Just a few more projects left…

Comments

Thanks for giving your ideas. I might also
like to say that video games have been at any time evolving.

Today’s technology and improvements have assisted create authentic
and fun games. Most of these entertainment video
games were not as sensible when the real concept was being used.
Just like other areas of technological innovation, video games also have had to evolve by way of many ages.
This is testimony on the fast continuing development of video games.

Super idea with the bamboo beach mat “thingy” as you call it! I am so impressed with your style and what you’re doing!

I am trying to figure out how to do a great looking bamboo bed canopy with bamboo curtains (or those beach mat “thingy(s)” as you call them in a very frugal manner. I am a diy’er so not scared of trying anything.

I found you via search today. I’m musing here. I’m thinking of seeing if freecycle has someone with bamboo poles (or bamboo in the backyard but would need to check on curing them, etc. and the proper machete (laugh) or saw to cut them down…which sounds like way too much work) to possible either suspend the bamboo to hang curtains, or use bamboo curtains as the canopy. I see some great ideas with either suspended bamboo over the bed to hold curtains or bamboo as the canopy posts on the bed with sheer or other draped fabric. But….I’m still looking.

I saw one bamboo curtain canopy via google images but it just wasn’t the effect nor stylized or feel for me that I was envisioning.

I did see a nice looking bamboo headboard (professional designer)

I am dying for something to separate the bed from the room with a canopy or other something. If I don’t go with bamboo – which is my first choice… I’m even thinking of using perhaps some stair spokes attached to poles possibly to make the canopy posts and give it a little more style. There are even some long floor lamp poles that might be an option to configure.

As well, I found some 90 degree angle plastic (about 7 inches or so each side) (don’t know what they were…located at habitat for humanity recycle store) that are about 12 feet long each – that I was musing about what those might look like as cornices for the bed, or if that doesn’t seem to work, I’ll use them for the windows or to divide my living room from a library type alcove in my 1939 rather small townhome.

Your style is super, and why I’m writing you. I’ve been searching on and off for ideas for weeks (uh months) and I never leave comments – but I guess I do now.

I also love your lamp shade idea!

Question – if you don’t mind…
How did you affix things to your brick wall? Did you use a hammer drill (what brand do you use?) or a regular drill and what bits/screws/hardware/anchors worked best? Did you drill into the mortar or the actual brick? I’ve seen folks do it either way. I have an 18 volt regular drill which I hope will work and looking for advice on the drill bit to buy and the best hardware to hang items on brick and appropriate anchor, etc.

Even if you don’t have time to answer the question, thanks for the inspiration! I’m going to check out your other posts now. Bravo!

You know, these might be good for the nursing room. They could sit above the window and be non functional but still give a homey feel. I could make curtains for the right side and nothing would show through the window.

Oh PSI gave Jamey a list of all the fabrics and an estimate of what that will come up to today. It was a little over $100 (just for the textiles). I guess that's okay. It's a lot of stuff.

I totally recovered a lampshade with some hemp rope just this Saturday after seeing this here! And i LOVE it! Had to buy some rope for my son's Joseph costume (think technicolor dreamcoat Joseph) for his school play, but then I had tons left…so i covered a lampshade. Gorgeous and fab-o idea! Thanks a million!!!

Hey Beth! I was checking on some friends in Japan and just trotted on over to you! I LOVE your dining room wall…I loved it in the Fall and at Christmas…and NOW as you transition into Spring! You are just so clever…Mr D and I are painting the den as I write…gotta go!*Lynne*

Hi Beth I am so glad I found your blog, your home is beautiful!! I just love the makeover you did on those buffet shades, they look fantastic, and that exposed brick in your dining GORGEOUS!! Just became your newest follower, Martina

Ok, this is a little freaky. I just picked up some thrift store lamps and was thinking of adding rope to the shades. Then I sit to read blog and see you just did this too. And I love the look. So thanks for the preview!

You come up with the best projects and results…I don't know where you find the time! The lamps are awesome and the blinds were a fantastic idea. I have bamboo blinds and they have lasted for over 20 years…I'm sure these will too as they seem more sturdy than regular blinds. Great job, my friend!

Love the changes! I love the beachy and rustic feel of the rope. I will have to consider this treatment in my endless quest to find the right lamp makeover for my lamps. My living room is a very mixed up style right now as it moves from boring furniture-store look to class white, black, and brown. I love the beach and rustic themes too…do you think it would look good with more classic whites and blacks? Hmm…

Agh, I'm so excited. I have an old pier1 lamp beside my bed with olive-y silk fabric and beaded fringe. I haven't taken it off yet cause I can't decide what to do to it. I already have a couple with burlap. This is perfect!!!!! Thank you for your inspiration and Happy Friday:)

You are a girl after my own heart with the glue! So clever and great looking the faux shade on the shower rod…just genius!!! Your dining room looks smashing! I've been working the glue projects lately too. So fast and creates nearly instant gratification.

Love the lampshades update, Beth! You are giving me hope that the warmer weather is not far off with the coastal/beachy feel I'm getting from your dining room. I was just thinking yesterday of getting my Target linen drapes from last year out and changing out my heavier winter look in my dining room.

Love the makeovers! Those little lampshades with the twine took me down memory lane. I all of a sudden remembered a lampshade my big sister made back in the day. The days when macrame was hot. She covered a lampshade with white twine and added glass beads to the shade. I being six years old, and really wanting to be like my big sister, thought that was uber cool. Funny how I totally forgot about that until I saw your shades.Not that you shades are looking like they came from those days. No they are uber cool and hot and trendy and I love them. They just brought back a memory. Thanks! Have a wonderful weekend.

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